Step out of your technological mindset

Long presentations on subjects outside your audience’s core competence are a waste of everyone’s time. Don’t bore the board with too much detail about how the technology actually works.

Focus on the business case for your strategy. Hone it down to:

Three simple concepts:

1. Focus on the Problem / Opportunity

What is the issue you’ve identified?

How does it manifest itself?

Why is it important?

What will happen if we do nothing about it?

2. Deliver the Strategy

Brief summary of what success looks like

A high level and simple description of what technical, procedural and organisational changes are necessary to achieve the strategic goals

Reasons (in clear English) for your roadmap

3. Finish with Costs & Benefits

Accurately articulate the cost of your strategy tied to a strong business case

How will the strategy enable the business as a whole to generate more income?

How long before the organisation sees ROI?

Be brief…but be prepared

Remember the old showbiz adage, ‘Leave them wanting more’?

If the board like the bare-bones of your proposal they will come back for more detail. Make sure you have all the figures, quotes, projections to hand so you aren’t tripped up by any questions that arise.